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CIRCULAR 



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RUTLAND COUNTY 



ORAMMAR SCHOOIi* 



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Castleion^ TU 

W S. FAIRFIELD PRINTER, 

1*8847 







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CIRCULAR 



One year having elapsed since the Rutland County 
Grammar School assumed a new and enlarged form, under 
the joint superintendance of Messrs. Walker & Clark, the 
Trustees feel it due to the public, to the teachers and to 
the school, to state the result of the last year's experiment ; 
and to make such suggestions as experience dictates. The 
success of the school has exceeded our most sanguine ex- 
pectations. The whole number of scholars, that have at- 
tended during the year, is two hundre.l and eighty-two -, 
the largest number at one time, was one hundred and sixty ; 
the average number, one hundred and twelve; while the 
greatest number in attendance the first quarter was but six- 
ty. These statements alone speak well of the increased 
and increasing confidence of the public in the school. 
From our own observation of the management of the 
school, the method of teaching &;c. &:c,, we feel entire con- 
fidence that it has been well sustained ; and we are confi- 
dent that it will continue to be well sustained. 

It was foreseen, at the outset, that it would bo no ea- 
sy matter to plan and put in successful operation, a school 
which should meet the wants and expectations of the pres- 
ent time. At the commencement, much anxious solici- 
tude was felt for the result. But the past year has in- 
creased our confidence. We now fondly hope, that, hav- 
ing toiled through the difficulties of one year, with the help 
of our present vantage ground, and the benefit of past ex- 
perience, our continued eflbrts will secure to the school a 
character and permanence that will make it a blessing to 
this section of country, to the land and to the world. 

The Teachers will continue in their respective de- 
partments as formerly, with the exception of Mr. Walker, 
who leaves the school at the close of the year. This was 



not unexpected. Not designing to make it a permanent 
business, he gave us no encouragement for more than one 
year. He now flatters himself able to resume the work of 
the ministry. The superintendance rests now upon Mr. 
Clark, whose experience and success in teaching, gives se- 
curity that the school will be managed with the same skill 
and propriety as before. All the assistant Teachers are 
persons of experience and tried qualifications. 

We wish, however, that parents and friends of educa- 
tion would not forget that many difficulties oppose them- 
selves to an enterprize of this kind. After all our careful- 
ness, and labor and expense, we boast not perfection. The 
object at which we aim is high and important, and cannot be 
attained without the co-operation of the public. That the 
friends of education may exert all the healtliful influence 
of interested and zealous supporters, it is important that 
they understand the views of those who have charge of the 
school, together with the sources of difticulty ; and that 
they act with reference to them. Parents and guardians 
are, to some extent at least, alike responsible with the su- 
pervizors and teachers of a school, for the character it sus- 
tains. The following communication addressed to us by 
the Principal of the Seminary, will exhibit this matter 
more clearly. Convinced of the importance of the sug- 
gestions which it contains, we have thought best to send it 
out in this form, soliciting for it the careful examination of 
parents, guardians and friends of education. The views it 
contains are substantially our own. The reasons for ex- 
pressing them will be obvious to all who read them. We 
commit them to the public, and recommend to their pat- 
ronage the Institution of which we have the honor to be 
Trustees, 

By ordei of the Corporation. 

ZIMRl HOWE, } 

SELAH H. MERRILL. } Committee. 

TOSEPH STEELE, S 



5 

To the Trustees of Rutland County Grammar 
School. 

Gentlemen, 

As the responsibilities of Castleton Seminary are about 
to fall upon me as its Principal, I have been induced to 
communicate to you my views upon several topics inti- 
mately connected with the character and success of the in- 
stitution. Some of the things I shall mention, may seem 
of little moment to those who have never felt their import* 
ahce ; but to an experienced teacher, they will not appear 
as trifles. The responsibilities of an educator, do not 
stop with simply imparting an amount of knowledge, and 
restraining the outbreakings of violence and disorder, dur* 
ing the period allotted to study. They take hold of the 
most secret windings of individual, social and public inter- 
est. The heart, the social and moral feelings, are to be ed- 
ucated as well as the mind. It should be the untiring eflfort 
of every educator to lay broad and deep the principles of 
right and wrong. 

The success of ai\ institution, in a great measure, de- 
pends upon the course adopted by its trustees. Their 
careful deliberations, followed by prompt and vigorous ef- 
fort, may raise it, or their luke-warm indifference sink it to 
the dust. I take upon me the responsibilities of the insti- 
tution, with the confident expectation, that the board will 
ever be ready to second any effort, and prosecute any 
measure 1 may propose, and which shall, to them, seem 
practicable, and for the interest of the Seminary. With 
these views, I make the following suggestions, hoping that 
they may lead to the adoption of measures calculated to 
secure the greater prosperity of the institution. 

I have arranged my thoughts under several distinct 
beads. 

I. GOVERNMENT. 
"Order is heaven's first law." 

To secure this, in a collection of youth, so deverslfied 
in their dispositions, ages and early associations, is not al- 
ways easy. 



There arc two modes of managing this part of educa- 
tion ; the compulsory and the persuasive. One attempts 
to accomplish its object by bars and bolts, rods and stripes ; 
the other, by influence. Both of them are necessary in 
their place, according to the age and character of the pu- 
pil. The former, viz. force, answers for the blind despo- 
tism of the camp or navy, but not to train youth for the so- 
cial duties of an enlightened, independent republicanism. 
In a school, it should be appHed only where reason is im- 
mature or enfeebled, or where the feelings and habits are 
so debased that reason and conscience have ceased to act, 
and where the exigency of the case demands a sudden rem- 
edy. 

Persuasion is of two kinds. That which appeals to 
interest and passion, and that which appeals to moral sense. 
The former is next to force, and should be a last resort. 
It is precisely calculated to nurture that worst of all pas- 
sions, that never sated thirst for distinction, which, more 
than any other, threatens the best interests of our country. 
This, it is the business of education to repress, and not to 
cherish, and fan to a flame. A second kind of influence, is 
that of moral suasion* By this, the pupil is led to obey 
hecauseit is right j and to fear to disobey, because it is 
wrong. Its rules are few and simple, its rewards and pen- 
alties the legitimate fruit of obedience or transgression. 

This is the principle I would adopt as far as the age, 
disposition and habits of the pupils will admit. When 
conscience is enlightened, and has not lost its eflicacy. 

DO RIGHT, 
is my only rule 5 the pupil's own conscience my tribunal ; 
and. Is it right ? my only argument. 

This renders it necessary, at tirst to instruct pupils as 
to things right and wrong. As a general principle, those 
thinge are improper, which in any measure retard a schol- 
ar's own progress, or diminish the progress and happiness 
of others. This gives an almost invariable criterion by 
which to determine whether a thing is proper or improper. 
When there can be a doubt, let the scholar a§k himself, 



Will this aid me in the acqusition of knowledge, or will it 
diminish in any degree the happinass of others ? 

I shall, however, state some things, which experi- 
ence has proved useful, and some which have proved de- 
cidedly injurious. 

II. SCHOOL ROOM. 

Those who study in the school room, should be in 
their seats when the bell for study hours ceases to ring ; 
and remain there, except for recitation, while the study 
card is up. When the study card is down, if they have 
any question to ask, or book to procure or return, it 
is right they should do it then, and at no other time. Dur- 
ing study hours, it is improper that scholars should whis- 
per, or talk, or sit idle, or do any thing, by which the peace 
of others would be disturbed. Whispering and talking in 
school, is a root of evil, which should be put down and 
driven out, at every corner. It is a species of impropriety, 
which always denotes a bad heart, or gross ill -breeding. 
It is improper that any scholar should occupy any other 
seat than his own, or exchange that, without special per- 
mission. No scuffling, or noise, or rude sport should be 
indulged in the school-rooms, or any part of the building. 

III. ATTENDANCE. 

Without a regular and punctual attendance on all the 
appropriate exercises of school, it is in vain to hope for im- 
provement. 

There are several existing evils under this head, 
which demand special attention. If parents place their 
children under my tuition and demand improvement, I 
must demand their punctual attendance on all the exercises 
of school, as a right. There is no more propriety in their 
being detained at home during the hours of school, without 
my permission, than if they were engaged to work for me 
and receive a compensation. Parents pay me for teaching 
their children, and expect an equivalent. Now there are 
gome day scholars, who, uniformly, as often as every other 
day, come into school half an hour, or an hour, after study 
hours have commenced. When they are interrogated ai 



8 

to the cause of their tardiness, they say ^father wanted me, 
or mother wanted me' — 4 had to go of an errand' — 4 had to 
bring wood or get water.' — In the afternoon,! am constant- 
ly annoyed by, Hhe folks wanted I should come home at 
three o'clock.' Sometimes a boy is absent an afternoon. 
On enquiring, he has been fishing or hunting, or staid at 
home, but the teacher's mouth is stopped by, ^Father or 
mother said I might.' Thus some scholars actually lose 
more than one-fourth of their time. But the evil does not 
stop with simply the loss of time. The scholar appears at 
recitation without his lesson. Thus the time of recitation 
is thrown away ; the scholar gets behind his class, loses all 
courage, and sinks down into a perfect indifiference, wheth- 
er he improves or not, and his whole time is lost, and worse 
than lost, for it will require more than one term of faithful 
effort to overcome the bad habits which are the legitimate 
fruit of such a course, if they are ever overcome. Yet the 
parent expects a full amount of improvement, and if it is 
not made, the teacher is in the fault, or the school is good 
for nothing. This is unreasonable; it is unjust. If the 
parent demands improvement, the teacher may of right, de- 
mand the time of the children. 

There is another evil in the attendance ofpupils, from 
which we suffer, or rather they suffer, serious injury. Pa- 
rents living within ten or twelve miles, frequently give 
their children permissi<>n to spend the sabbath at home. 
To this, I have no serious objection, if it can be done with- 
out the loss of time. But the scholars are frequently call- 
ed for on Friday afternoon, and do not return till the next 
Monday at noon. Two or three such goings home are suf- 
ficient to destroy the improvement of a whole term. This 
cannot, in ordinary cases, be permitted. Those who go 
home to paf s the sabbath, must not go till Saturday noon, 
and must be pretsnt before study hours on Monday morning. 
We cannot teach scholars at home. 

IV. RECITATION. 
It is improper that any scholar should be absent from 
recitation, whether the lesson is obtained or not, except in 



I 



case of sickness ; or to give the getting of one lesson as aa 
excuse for not having another. 

V. PRAYERS. 

All the pupils, whether boarding in the Seminary or 
not, are expected to be present at morning and evening 
prayers, unless previously excused. 

Those who board in the Seminary, should be present 
at family prayers, at eight o'clock in the evening. Ordi- 
nary circumstances are not expected to detain them. If 
friends are calling, it is proper to invite them to attend al- 
so. 

VI. PUBLIC WORSHIP. 

When parents bring their children, they should select 
the church they wish them to attend, and at that place they 
should be found every sabbath. The impropriety of leav- 
ing this to the capripe of children, or of imposing the re- 
sponsibility of a decision upon the teaclier, will be seen by 
one moment's reflection. 

VH. LEAVING THE YARD. 

We hope always to have the means of rational amuse- 
ment and enjoyment within our own. establishment, so that 
scholars will not be under the necessity of going abroad for 
it. Many parents send their children here to prevent 
their associating with improper company, and to remove 
them from temptation. It is not unfrequent that they 
make the very judicious request, that they should not leave 
the yard, without the knowledge of a teacher, if some are 
placed Under this restriction, all must be : and no reasona- 
ble young gentleman or lady will feel it burdensome. 
They come here to ham, and not to gad about (he streets, 
or lounge in the taverns and stores. A freedom to do this, 
has ruined many a youth, and withered the fondest hopes 
of many a doting parent. 
VIII. VrSITIiNG AND RECEIVING' C031PANY, 

This topic I would have left for particular instruction 
to the pupils when present, but for the wish that my views 
aJid practice may be perfectly understood, both by the pu- 
pils, and their friends. What 1 have to s\v, relates more, 
particularly in llie fcmair part of the ip.slifntion. 



10 

If I lightly uuderstand the purpose for which young 
ladies come to this Seminary, it is for mental and moral 
improvement. Their parents and guardians do not send 
them here to be playthings for gallantry, nor to spend their 
time in preparation for large parties. Where this is in- 
dulged, mental improvement is out of the question. I 
deem it improper that young ladies at school from home, 
go abroad to ride, or walk, or attend large parties, unac- 
companied by their teachers, or parents, or some relative. 
In this thing, a "veto" mUvSt extend to every case, or there 
can be no restriction. The importance of this, every re- 
flecting parent may understand, yea, they do understand, 
for they frequently say to me, "remove this restriction and 
we will remove our daughters." 

There is no objection to scholars going ont, two ar 
three at a time, to pass a few hours, or to cultivate an ac- 
quaintance with our village friends ; always returning be- 
fore dark^ and never on such account, being absent from 
recitation. 

It is improper that our pupils should receive calls in 
study hours, or after 9 o'clock in the evening. At other 
times we are always glad to see our friends. 

The aim of all our deliberations and restrictions, is to 
secure for our pupils the greatest amount of improvement, 
external, intellectual and moral. Our all-absorbing object 
is, their happiness, present and future. 

Every years experience confirms me in an opinion, 
which, at first, I received with some hesitation, viz. that, 
while a school embracing both sexes, has many things to 
render its proper management difficult, yet it has decided 
advantages more than sufficient to counterbalance every 
evil. A school should be, near as possible, a world in min- 
iature, where the finger of a faithful teacher constantly 
paints out and rebukes its evils, while he encourages and 
prompts to those acts of kindness and benevolence, which 
give to society its cheerfulness and vivacity. 

The occasional association of the different depart- 
ments in such a School, under the eye of a teacher, cannot 
but exert a happy influence in softening and refining the 



11 

feelings, and forming those habits of deportment so necessa- 
ry to success in the world. 

Though in one sense the two departments shold be as 
distinct, as if in separate buildings, yet in another sense, 
they should be as one family, and as such, meet at their 
meals, at family prayers, in the evening walk, the occasion- 
al ride or holy-day sport; in all of which the teachers 
should participate, that lessons of wisdom and propriety 
may be associated in the recollection of their happiest mo- 
ments. 

IX. COMMON PARLOR. 
A room is provided, always warmed and lighted, where 
scholars may see their friends. If any wish to invite their 
friends to the music room, permission can always be ob- 
tained at proper times ; but the music room is not a place 
for visiting. 

X. ROOxMS. 
No scholar is expected to study at his room, without 
permission, and all young scholars should study in the 
school-room. During study hours, no scholar should he 
absent from his room, or be otherwise occupied, than in get- 
ting his lessons. A repetition of this impropriety, will 
show that a scholar is either incapable of governing him- 
self, or that he has indolent habits, which would be better 
corrected in the school room. 

No scholar should change his room, or any thing in it, 
without permission. Every scholar should consider him- 
self responsible for every impropriety in his room. 
XL MEALS. 
We have three meals in a day, and but three. AH 
eating between meals is properly dispensed with. Schol- 
ars should be punctual at their meals, or wail till the next 
meal-time. When friends are calling upon our scholars at 
meal-time, we should be happy to have them invited to the 
table. It is proper that previous notice be given to the la- 
dy, who presides at ihe part of the table where they sit. 

When pupils are in ill health, we wish ihem, freely, to 
makek nown all their wants y^nd no efTort will be spared io 
supply them, (if reasonable,) and to do every thing for 
their comfort. In thislhing, however, we shall always ex- 



12 

peel that unnecessary trouble will be avoided; and ihat 
they will yield cheerfulli/ to our suggestions, as to what 
may, at such times, be thought proper or improper. 
XII. CLOTHES. 

It is important that scholars should be provided with 
umbrellas and suitable shoes for wet weather. No young 
lady should come without a pair oi tight leather shoes ^ and 
in the fall, winter and spring terms, over-shoes. 

Every article of clothing should haneatly and intelligi- 
^/y marked. When this is neglected, we shall expect to 
hear no complaint if clothes are lost. 

XIII. BOARDING PLACES. 

Another evil, of which I wish to advise parents, is the 
improper selection of boarding places. Every judicious 
parent will see, at once, that the company, the scenes and 
temptations incident to a public house, render it a place il- 
ly adapted to promote studious habits. Upon this subject 
experience tells a sad tale. In many institutions pupils are 
not allowed to board at a public inn, on any account what- 
ever. 

From a review of the past year, 1 am full in the convic- 
tion, that taking the scholars from abroad, as a mass, those 
who have resided in the Seminary, have made one- third 
more improvement, than those who have not. This may be 
accounted for, from the fact, that some scholars, as they say, 
wish to board fro7n the Seminary, that they may "know 
what is going on." Now we do not expect those will 
learn much, who care more about "what is going on" in the 
street, than in the school-room. If parents expect me to 
benefit their children, I expect they will leave them under 
circumstances in which I can control them. Otherwise, I 
do not hold myself responsible. 

XIV. POCKET-MONEY. 

Frequent evils arise from entrusting to young pupils 
too much spending money. All judicious parents of young 
scholars, will put into my hands the pocket-money for their 
children, and require of them, through me, an accurate 
account of the manner in which every cent is expended. 
When parents do not comply with this suggestion, I cannot 
bg responsible for the evil consequent upon such neglect. 



15 

XV. RETIRING AT NIGHT. 

The habit of keeping late hours at night, is ruinous to 

both body and mind. It is expected that every light will be 

extinguished by quarter past ten, except in case of sickness or 

some peculiar necessity, whenpermission can be obtained. 

XVI. DAY SCHOLARS. 

It should be remenr\bered by the day scholars, that all 
the building above and below the floor upon which the school 
rooms are is a private dwelling ; of course they will not visit 
other parts of the building without permission. 
XVil. CONCLUSION. 

I have long considered it a desideratum to have some 
means by which parents and guardians may undesland pre- 
cisely the progress and standing of their charge. For this 
purpose, I have constructed the following plan of report 
This will show at a single glance the studies pursued, the 
character of each recitation, together with the attendance 
and deportment for every day. (Seepage 14.) 

I propose to have four of these struck upon a sheet of 
paper, which at the close of every month, shall be filled up, 
and with such remarks as may be necessary, and sent to the 
parents or guardians of every pupil. This will, however, be 
attended with a trifling expense, for which, it is presumed, 
every parent will cheerfully pay. 

Thus, Gentlemen, have I hastily sketched a few things, 
which, through you, I wish to communicate to those who 
may hereafter become my pupils, and through them, to 
their parents & guardians. I now submit it to you, hoping 
by means of this and your own deliberations, you may de- 
vise such measures as shall be well adapted to render this 
institution the pride and admiration of our citizens, and 
the sure pledge of virtue and morality. 

I aii>, 
Genliemen, 

Your o'bt. servant, 

Jj, F. CliARJR 

Cmtldon, 3% 20, 1854. 



14 




3s(o GLXo 4<^ 



15 ^A 

NOTICE S. .,, ^ L 

Castleton is situated upon the great stage road frOu^* i^'cCS^^^o^ 
i3urlingtoii & Montreal via Middlebury at its intersection vvilh tiie line 
from Whitehall and Boston, through Rutland. This affords a daily 
communication with all these places. It is 75 miles from Albany, 14 
from Whitehall, 30 from Middlebury and 10 from Rutland. 

The Seminary is situated in the most pleasant and healthy part 
of the town. The building is thought to be one of the best in New 
England. It is four stories high, (including the basement,) 160 feet 
long and has more than 100 rooms. There are two large school- 
rooms, three recitation rooms, a Philosophical room, a Laboratory, 
and an exercise room, which extends the whole length of the build- 
ing. 

There is in the Seminary an extensive Chemical and Philo- 
sophical apparatus, and Cabinet of minerals, an Herbarium of 
plants, and a well selected library of nearly 500 volumes. 

Scholars may board in the Seminary, and sit at the same table 
with the Principal and other teachers. Special effort is made to pro- 
mote the happiness and improvement of those who reside in the 
family. 

The Academical year is divided into four terms ofeZeven weeks 
each, commencing as follows. 

Winter Term second Wednesday of December. 
Spring Term first " ' of March. 

Summer Term first *= of June. 

Fall Term second " of September; 

TUITION. 

Common English Branches, pei' term _ „ _ S3 00 

Ancient languages and the higher branches of English studies 4 00 

French, (Extra,) 2 00 

Music, (extra,) including use of instrument, - - 9 00 
Tuition to be paid in advance. 

BOARD. 

Those who board in the Seminary are charged each as fol- 
lows : — 
Board, per week - - - - - - SI 17 

Room rent without furniture, per term, -> - 1 50 
Do. with furniture " . - - 3 00 

V^dith'ms,, per dozen, - 37 1-£ 

Two are expected to occupy one room; but if the rooms are not 
all occupied, a scholar may room alone by paying $1 00 additional 
rent. 

No deduction is made for absence, except in case of sickness. 
No bills of tuition made for less than a Term. 

All scholars on leaving the school, are expected to take their 
bills, otherwise they will be charged tuition till they are regularly 
dismissed. 

Every scholar is made responsible for all damage done to his or 
her room, or furniture. 

Scholars are taken by the year at $100, including all expenses 
except music and French, books and clothes. 

BOOKS. 

Books and Stationary may be purchased or hired at the Semi- 
nary. Scholars will do well to bring any books they may have at 
hand. If not the same as used in the Seminary, they may be con- 
venient for reference. 



16 

C^ -,^ _.^, STUDIES AND LECTURES. 

^K j^,^^.^^)-^^ ueexpected that a whole course of English education 
sUall be carried on at once, and that lectures be repeated upon the 
same studies every term; hence it is necessary to assign particular 
portions of the year, in which certain subjects shall be pursued. 
Some of the studies are arranged as follows. 

C Natural Philosophy, 
Winter Term. / Intellectual Philosophy, 
( Geology. 
c Chemistry, 
Spring Tbrm. < Mineralogy, 

( Natural Theology. 
C Natural Philosophy, 
Summer Term. < Moral Philosophy^ 
( Botany. 
( Chemistry, 
Fall TERji. < Evidences of Christianity, 

{ School Teaching. 
Lectures are given every day during the first two wcel;s of each 
term, upon the subjects of grammar and geography. The other sub- 
jects are accom:>anied with lectures during the te^ms to which they 
are assigned, Tn all instruction, special reference is had tcJ the busi- 
ness oi life. The preparation of teachers is one prominent object, 
and kept constantly in view. 

Atstated periods the scholars are exercised in Reading, Compo- 
sition, Sneaking, and the classical bepartment, in translating Greek 
lind Latfn to English, and English to Greek and Latin. The latter 
we deem an important exercise. 

WOODBRIDGE SOCIETY. 

A society has been formed among the members of the Seminary, 
called the Woodbridge Society. In this Society, teachers and schol- 
ars meet on common ground, and mutually share its offices and re- 
sponsibilities, its meetings are held once a week. AH the mem- 
bers lecture upon some subject connected with the studies of schooi, 

LYCEUM & LIBRARY. 

Tiie Trustees have established a Lyceum in connection with 
the Seminary, lis lectures are given by the teachers, and gentle- 
men from the village, or abroad. Scholars may become members of 
the Lyceum, and enjoy ali its privileges by paying 25 cts. per term. 

There is also a Library of nearly 500' volumes kept in the Sem- 
inary, to which access may be liad by ptiying 25 cents per term. 

STUDY HOURS. 
During the Winter, Spring and Fall Terms study hours are 
from 9 o'clock A. M. toJ2, ana from 1 1-2 to 4 1-2 and from 7 to ^ 
P. M. — in the Summer Term, fi-om 8 A. M. to 1£, and from 2 to 5 
P. M. During study hours^ scholars are not expected to be absent 
from their appropriate siudy rooms ; nor, in ordinary cases to receive 
"calls" No calls after 9 o'clock in the evening. 
CHARITY ¥IJKD' 

The Institution lu^sa fund devoted exclusively to paying the tu- 
ition of pious young men having in view the Gospel ministry. 

It is desirable that scholars from abroad board in. the Seminary. 
ZfiMRI nO\\E, Secretary. ' 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

019 740 592 2 



